Sep 24 Guaranty Bank & Trust Athlete of the Week: Kobey Emeyabbi

When Aaron Emeyabbi took over the coaching job at North Lamar last season, he brought with him a kid that would be heading into high school. Kobey Emeyabbi took over the freshman team last year as quarterback and ran all over opposing defenses.

This year, in his sophomore year, he has already made a huge impact for the North Lamar varsity squad. As the backup to Jay Walters, Kobey is still averaging 5.73 yards per rush and he’s had 45 attempts in the first four games.

Perhaps the game that got the most attention was in Greenville. Walters went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter. Kobey came in and rushed for 196 yards and a touchdown. This happened while he was dehydrated from being in the hospital just a few days before and he was playing with a dislocated rib.

He had been preparing himself all night for an opportunity, just like every other game. Not being the starter means he has to be ready at any moment for one of the coaches to call his name.

”When Jay came off the field with his ankle injury and I heard coach Emeyabbi yell my name, I was ready.” - he says

Having a father as a head coach isn’t something that Kobey takes lightly either as he knows he needs to work just as hard, if not harder than others, so that he doesn’t appear to get preferential treatment.

”Not only do I not want to disappoint him as my coach, but I don’t want to disappoint him as my dad,” Kobey says. “On the field, he treats me like every other player. But it is pretty nice seeing my hero on the sideline telling me which play to run.”

Kobey says he doesn’t feel added pressure because his dad is the coach. In general, he feels pressure anyways he says.

”I don’t like disappointing people. Anyone. Ever. I always want to do good for others, especially the team. I don’t want to disappoint them just as much as I don’t want to disappoint my dad.”

Besides playing football, Kobey is also a member of the track team. He pole vaults, runs the 300 meter hurdles, 110 meter hurdles and the 4x4 relay. When he’s not running away from defenders or leaping over hurdles, Kobey says he pretty much eats and sleeps. After a quick laugh, he assures me he’s telling the truth. After graduation, he is hoping to play football and pole vault in college somewhere while pursuing a career in sports medicine.

Here is a list of Kobey’s Favorites:

Food: Tacos

Restaurant: IHOP

Song: Lose Yourself by Eminem

Band/Singer: Lil Uzi

Color: Blue and Gold

TV Show: The Simpsons

Movie: Creed

Book: The Bible

Subject in School: History

If you could go one place, where would it be? Mars

If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who is it? Elis Presley

If you could go back in time and witness one event live and in person what event is it? The first ever Super Bowl

Thanks Kobey Emeyabbi for being this weeks Guaranty Bank & Trust Athlete of the Week